The axe came down with a dull, heavy thud, splitting the log clean down the middle.

Roman paused, breathing hard, sweat rolling down his temple as he leaned slightly on the wooden handle. His hands ached, his shoulder burned, and his left side still protested with a dull, familiar pain, but he stayed standing.

A few weeks ago, he wouldn’t have managed this much without collapsing.

Now, at least, he was still on his feet.

He lifted the axe again, brought it down on another log. Wood cracked ...